BMW cancels the 335 diesel for the F30 3 series generation in favor of a hybrid model, the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3

And the good news from BMW just continues to roll in. Was it not bad enough the US will not get the M550d, X5 M50d, or X6 M50d? To make matters worse, one of the few diesel options we actually had in the USA from BMW is now being taken away from us. Why? BMW wants us to buy their upcoming hybrid 3 series instead. They are slowly conditioning the US market toward electric powertrains it seems in preparation for the all electric "i" brand. So, the 335d is axed in favor of a hybrid.

BMW does not seem to pay attention to the fact the hybrid models are not selling. The X6 hybrid was cancelled last year. Diesel BMW models on the other hand sell out very quickly and are in high demand. Is someone at BMWNA playing a cruel joke or just getting high and flipping coins to make business decisions?

The ActiveHybrid 3 will have an N55 six cylinder in addition to a 55 horsepower electric motor. We hope it falls on its face just like the X6 and we get our diesel back.

BMW's "hybrid" tech has almost nothing in common with Toyota's approach - it's much more similar to Honda's tech. BMW developed the electric tranny with GM and Mercedes, and it can supplement the gas engine, but is virtually worthless for electric only propulsion. BMW is behind on hybrid tech, which is why they are partnering with someone - I think Puegot.

I'll disclaim this by saying that I know nothing about this *particular* car. Put a typical electric such as the Prius or Volt:

-mining the material for the batteries it is a filthy process
-the electricity comes from a power grid with filthy plants. Unless you clean up the power grid, there is nothing green about these cars - they are powered by "dirty" power.
-disposal of the batteries - in 10 years, all these things need to be recycled...there is no way to dispose of them...they are horrible for the environment...no one really knows what the cost or impact will be. They *cannot* simply be parked in a junkyard.
-In general, the MPG numbers are horribly inflated and, from what I understand, are the result of a testing standard that is biased towards the electric cars...

The future is hydrogen, not electric. But unfortunately, all the electric kool-aid drinking will undermine the serious development still needed in this area.

The greenest cars on the planet are small displacement clean diesels (none sold in the US) and flex vehicles that can run alcohol.

I'll disclaim this by saying that I know nothing about this *particular* car. Put a typical electric such as the Prius or Volt:

-mining the material for the batteries it is a filthy process
-the electricity comes from a power grid with filthy plants. Unless you clean up the power grid, there is nothing green about these cars - they are powered by "dirty" power.
-disposal of the batteries - in 10 years, all these things need to be recycled...there is no way to dispose of them...they are horrible for the environment...no one really knows what the cost or impact will be. They *cannot* simply be parked in a junkyard.
-In general, the MPG numbers are horribly inflated and, from what I understand, are the result of a testing standard that is biased towards the electric cars...

The future is hydrogen, not electric. But unfortunately, all the electric kool-aid drinking will undermine the serious development still needed in this area.

The greenest cars on the planet are small displacement clean diesels (none sold in the US) and flex vehicles that can run alcohol.

This all makes sense. I think people are just sold on MPG numbers, irrelevant how they get them or what the impact is.

This all makes sense. I think people are just sold on MPG numbers, irrelevant how they get them or what the impact is.

In the general public's defense, there is an insane marketing machine behind this. But if you watch the Chevy volt commercials, even the ones out now, they are pretty ambiguous about the impact. They say things like "I care about the future" and blah blah. I haven't seen them make any claims regarding carbon footprints or what actual benefit there is to these cars. Look at how much power we produce from coal, yes COAL:

In the general public's defense, there is an insane marketing machine behind this. But if you watch the Chevy volt commercials, even the ones out now, they are pretty ambiguous about the impact. They say things like "I care about the future" and blah blah. I haven't seen them make any claims regarding carbon footprints or what actual benefit there is to these cars. Look at how much power we produce from coal, yes COAL:

Yes, these cars are pretty ambiguous with how their footprint is presented. Pretty much all people talk about are the MPG numbers.

I'm not a power grid expert, just a "sniff out bull$#@!" expert ; )

My buddy works for Westinghouse in the nuclear division. From what I understand, a proper nuclear plant is very safe and clean. However, much like the hype with the electric cars, the hype related to the Japan disaster has left a black mark on all nuclear solutions. Still, from what he tells me, they are recovering and working on several plants right now...not sure if any are in the US. I don't think he can tell me legally either.

I just watched this hype piece on Chevy on Velocity and, even in that puff piece, no one blatantly said these are good for the environment blah blah. Actually, towards the end, one of the engineers talked about flex vehicles and "running off compressed gasses". Someone missed an edit I guess ; )

I hate listening to the all-electric vehicle owners saying that they have eliminated their carbon footprint ... I guess they are charging their batteries with solar? NOPE! In Florida, Coal is still widespread ... far dirtier than gasoline.

I'm sure there is some sort of "anti" group that could point out all the negatives - the anti-nuclear movement is very strong, and they seem to want to lump this into that category, even though it doesn't have the same drawbacks.

I really hoped they did not cancelled this bmw 335 diesel, im really hoping for his one and then they cancelled it im slight disappointed because diesel is cheaper but it's ok. I'm not bitter or anything and i dont hate the hybrid one but im not really a fan of hybrid cars.